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The veins on Qian Daoliu's forehead bulged. He opened his mouth but, ultimately, did not speak out in anger.
The air became heavy with silence.
Qian Daoliu looked down at Qian Xunji, who seemed to be lost in thought or self- introspection.
Frowning, he asked, "What have you realized?"
Qian Xunji looked at Qian Daoliu with a bitter expression and said, "A son's failure is the father's fault."
"What, what are you saying?!" Qian Daoliu's face turned slightly awkward.
"No, dad, don't take it the wrong way! I didn't mean to point fingers at you."
Qian Xunji quickly waved his hand to clarify.
Qian Daoliu's breathing grew strained, and he began to doubt himself.
He turned his gaze toward the mountain below and said in a deep voice, "Then tell me, what does that mean?"
Qian Xunji smiled and did not seem to have any intention of shirking responsibility.
Resting on his arms, he sighed, "Dong'er certainly made mistakes! But my faults go beyond mere moral failure."
"…"
Qian Daoliu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Qian Xunji.
"Hahaha."
Qian Xunji gave a self-deprecating smile and explained, "Once a teacher, always a father."
"In the end, I didn't teach Dong'er well, and that led to all these troubles."
"…"
Qian Daoliu's expression darkened again.
If Qian Xunji's view was correct, then the source of the problem would be with him.
"Dad, I'm really not blaming you."
Seeing Qian Daoliu's expression, Qian Xunji was both amused and helpless.
He hurriedly stood up to comfort his old father.
"You've done enough, really!"
"But talent is innate, and I didn't meet your expectations."
Qian Daoliu took a deep breath and stopped dwelling on the matter.
He said in pain, "Since that's the case, why didn't you listen to what I taught you? I've told you before."
"Be careful of that woman!"
"Ha ha."
Qian Xunji chuckled lightly and put a hand on Qian Daoliu's shoulder with a hint of apology.
"Father, I actually could have lived."
"But I gave up, so I hope you don't hate Dong'er."
Qian Daoliu's eyes widened in confusion.
"What are you saying?!"
"Ah."
Qian Xunji sighed and explained, "The two kids were caught in the middle, inevitably becoming victims."
"Then why couldn't she have been the one to die?!"
Qian Daoliu, filled with anger, was losing his composure.
"If I were heartless, I would have killed Dong'er long ago!"
Qian Xunji responded with a cold smile and then seemed somewhat resigned.
After all, he had raised Dong'er himself.
Though there were mistakes, he was not truly a merciless beast.
Moreover, Bibi Dong's mistakes were cut short before they could even happen.
Qian Daoliu's face grew grim.
"Back then, you didn't seem to have any compassion!"
"People change, and at that time, I just wanted to create a genius."
Qian Xunji spread his fingers, covering his face, and lay back down on the grass.
"Now, look."
"In the family, I am the most useless. If I don't die, who will?"
Qian Daoliu suddenly fell silent.
Why did Qian Xunji so desperately want to create a genius in the Qian family?
"Dad, do you think what I said is reasonable?"
Facing Qian Xunji's question, Qian Daoliu snapped out of his daze and swore.
"Reasonable my foot!"
"But you must admit, Dong'er's talent is greater than mine, and her methods surpass yours and mine. It's clearly more fitting for her to manage the Spirit Hall."
Qian Xunji gave a helpless smile.
Without him, not only would Qian Renxue and the others be better off, but even the Spirit Hall would improve.
Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu's expression changed slightly.
"You said you want her to be the Pope?!"
Qian Xunji countered, "Do you have other suitable candidates in mind?"
"…"
Qian Daoliu opened his mouth but was left speechless.
In the silence, Qian Xunji's figure began to grow faint.
The surrounding buildings started to crumble.
"Time is up."
Qian Xunji calmly sat up.
Looking at Qian Daoliu, who had tears in his eyes, his own eyes were also went red.
"Dad, I'm sorry I have to go first. But, I've done right by the Qian family."
"Xunji!"
As Qian Daoliu tried to hold him back, Qian Xunji's figure grew more illusory and began to float upwards.
"Dad, don't come to me so soon. I'd like to have a bit more peace."
"Xunji!"
Qian Daoliu stood up and reached out, but Qian Xunji's figure scattered into the air, leaving behind dim golden light particles.
The voice came from all directions.
"Dad, let Dong'er take care of Xiao Jue and Xiao Xue, along with my share as a father."
Whoosh!
A fierce wind blew.
The light particles in the air soared into the sky.
The Worship Hall behind Qian Daoliu vanished, and the Spirit Hall City below began to collapse.
Suddenly!
Qian Daoliu looked at the Spirit Hall halfway up the mountain.
His eyes were filled with self-mockery as he sincerely accepted Qian Xunji's words.
"Ha ha, Xunji, you were right!"
At the halfway point of the mountain stood the past Spirit Hall from decades ago.
In the square in front of the hall, Qian Daoliu held a long sword and asked the golden-haired youth.
"Xunji, do you still remember why you practiced?"
"I remember, Dad!"
The youth nodded with a smile.
Swinging the long sword in his hand, he vowed, "You said that I practice to restore the glory of the angels!"
"Ha ha!"
Qian Daoliu's laughter echoed with the self-mocking laughter on the mountaintop.
The entire space turned into nothingness, leaving only two drops of murky tears.
It turned out that from the very beginning, he had already sown the seeds of disaster for Qian Xunji.
...
In the Worship Hall.
Qian Daoliu slowly woke up.
He looked at the familiar surroundings and felt the moisture on his face.
Qian Daoliu quickly stood up.
He glanced at the half-closed lid of the coffin and returned to reality.
Looking at Qian Xunji, his eyes were full of guilt and self-reproach.
After a long silence.
"Xunji, don't worry. Dad will fulfill your last wish."
Qian Daoliu's voice was hoarse but resolute.
Without hesitation, he bent down to completely close the coffin lid and hammered in the steel nails with his bare hands.
The coffin was sealed!
He lifted the coffin with one hand and prepared to leave.
However, the ashes beneath the coffin made Qian Daoliu pause.
He furrowed his brow and picked up the Soul Absorbing Pearl from his chest.
After a moment of thought, he understood the situation.
"It seems this grandfather didn't do his job very well."
Qian Daoliu gave a self-deprecating smile.
He carried the coffin and flew toward the Spirit Hall halfway up the mountain.
While arranging the coffin, he also sent orders to the front line.
Tomorrow, launch the massive offensive against the Clear Sky Clan!
This farce was finally coming to an end.
...
The next day.
Qian Xunji's coffin was carried by the cardinal in red, parading around the Spirit Hall City.
The entire Spirit Hall City was filled with solemnity and sadness.
The Pope, as the faith of the vast majority of soul masters on the continent.
On such a day.
Even outside the Spirit Hall City, many people came to pay their respects voluntarily.
The three upper sects, the four lower sects, and the two great empires sent their representatives.
But since the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Clan were at war, during this special period, most major forces only sent a few representatives.
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